JPH06283072A - Improper operation prevention mechanism for operation switch of electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an improper operation prevention mechanism for the operation switch of electronic equipment, effectively ensuring the prevention of improper operation including the pressing of an irrelevant switch on the electronic equipment, allowing the easy operation of a switch, and requiring the less quantity of parts to lower production cost. CONSTITUTION:This improper operation prevention mechanism has a cover 30 fitted in such a way as slidable between a position to cover an operation switch 24 and another position for the exposure thereof for a panel 21 fitted with the switch 24, and a click feeling application mechanism for generating click feeling for the sliding operation of the cover 30. Furthermore, the click feeling application mechanism is composed of an engagement projection 48 at the forward end of an elastic piece formed on the panel 21 and a pair of click feeling application boss sections linearly formed on the rear side of the cover 30 along a slide direction. Also, constitution is so made that the boss sections are pertinently coupled to the projection 48, depending upon the slide position of the cover 30.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an erroneous operation preventing mechanism for an operation switch of electronic equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some electronic devices may malfunction or be destroyed due to erroneous operation during operation. In particular, in a computer network environment, an unexpected power shutdown of the server machine, which is the center of the network environment, leads to the destruction of not only the machine but also the network environment. Therefore, in order to prevent erroneous operation of the power switch and the like, various means have been adopted.

For example, as a first means, there is known a structure in which two power switches are provided, one main power switch is provided on the front surface of the apparatus, and the other software interlock switch is provided on the rear surface of the apparatus. In the first means, both switches are linked by software, and the device cannot be stopped only by the main power switch on the front face of the device unless both switches are turned off at the same time.

However, in the structure adopting the first means, not only the switch parts increase and the cost increases, but also when the software setting (password) is forgotten, the main power switch on the front of the device stops the device. It has obstacles such as being unable to.

As a second means, there is known a structure in which a power switch is provided at a position which is difficult to reach, such as a side surface or a back surface of the apparatus body. With the structure employing this second means, there is little risk of erroneous operation. However, with this structure, a normal operation is troublesome, and conversely, it is difficult to stop the power supply in an emergency.

As a third means, there is known a structure in which a convex guard side wall is provided around a power switch arranged on the front surface of the device to make it difficult for a finger to reach the power switch. In the structure adopting the third means, it is difficult for the finger to reach the power switch, so that an erroneous operation can be prevented.

However, in this structure, since the power switch is only surrounded by the guard side wall and the switch is exposed, it is not possible to completely prevent an erroneous operation, and the second means described above is used. Similarly, there is a problem that the normal operation is troublesome.

As a fourth means, a structure is known in which the power switch is covered with a removable lid. In this structure, when the power switch is not operated, the erroneous operation can be prevented by fitting the peripheral edge of the lid into the groove formed around the power switch and covering the power switch with the lid.

However, this structure has a problem that it is easy to lose because of the small lid, and if it is lost, erroneous operation cannot be prevented. Further, since the lid is fitted into the groove of the switch, it is not easy to remove the lid, and it is difficult to stop the device in an emergency.

As a fifth means, as shown in FIG. 10A, a power switch 4 is provided on the front surface of a device 2 such as a computer main body, and the power switch 4 is provided on the front surface of the device switch 4.
As shown in (B) and (C), an openable / closable lid 6 is provided,
A structure is known in which the lid 6 is rotatable around a support shaft 8. According to this structure, it is possible to prevent inconvenience such as loss of the lid 6.

[0011]

However, in this conventional structure, there is a problem that an increase in cost due to an increase in the number of parts cannot be avoided because the opening / closing mechanism is complicated.
Further, since the lid 6 and its peripheral parts project from the front surface of the device when the lid 6 is opened, the normal operation is troublesome, and the opening / closing mechanism of the lid 6 is damaged during the normal operation. There is a risk that Further, the work of attaching the lid 6 is complicated, and the increase in cost due to an increase in the number of manufacturing steps is a problem.

As a sixth means, a power switch and a keyhole are provided on the front surface of the main body of the apparatus, the key is inserted into the keyhole, and the key is turned in the opening direction. A structure capable of turning off is known. According to this structure, by removing the key from the keyhole, the power switch cannot be turned off, and erroneous operation can be prevented.

However, with this structure, there is a problem that a large increase in cost due to the cost of parts such as keys and keyholes cannot be avoided, and normal operation is troublesome. There is also the risk of losing the key. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and effectively prevents an erroneous operation such as an erroneous pressing of an operation switch in an electronic device, and is simple in operation, has a small number of parts, and has a low manufacturing cost. An object is to provide an erroneous operation prevention mechanism for a switch.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, an operation switch of an electronic device according to the present invention has a position where the operation switch is covered and a position where the operation switch is exposed with respect to a panel provided with the operation switch. And a cover mounted so as to be slidable, and a click feeling imparting means for imparting a click feeling to the slide movement operation of the cover.

The click feeling imparting means includes an engaging protrusion formed on the tip side of the elastic piece formed on the panel and a pair of clicks formed on the back surface of the cover in a straight line along the sliding movement direction. It is preferable that the click feeling imparting boss portion is configured to be appropriately engaged with the engaging convex portion according to the slide movement position of the cover.

Depending on whether the cover is in the slide position for covering the operation switch or in the slide position for exposing the operation switch, the engaging convex portion is provided on one of the boss portions for imparting click feeling. It is preferable to dispose the engaging convex portion and the click feeling imparting boss portion so that the elastic piece engages and the bending force of the elastic piece acts in a direction of maintaining the open state and the closed state of the cover.

[0017]

In the present invention, the operation switch is opened and closed by the slide type cover, and when the operation switch is not desired to be operated, the operation switch is covered by the cover. Therefore, erroneous operation of the switch can be effectively prevented. Further, since it is possible to visually understand that the cover covers the switch, it is possible for other operators to easily know that the operation of the operation switch is prohibited. Furthermore, since the cover is slidably mounted on the panel, the cover will not be lost.

Further, when the cover is slid, the click feeling imparting means imparts a click feeling (a kind of resistance) to the operator, so that the cover can be easily opened and closed. , The cover does not open or close due to its own weight. This is because the cover maintains an open state or a closed state due to the resistance of the click feeling imparting means when no operating force is applied to the cover.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An erroneous operation prevention mechanism for an operation switch of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. 1 (A) and 1 (B) are perspective views showing an example of an apparatus equipped with an erroneous operation prevention mechanism for an operation switch of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG.
FIG. 3A is an overall perspective view of an apparatus equipped with the mechanism of the embodiment, FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a main part around a power switch mounted on the front surface of the apparatus, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an erroneous operation preventing mechanism mounted around the power switch, FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view of main parts taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 is an exploded view of main parts taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG. Sectional view, FIG. 5 is FIG.
2 is an assembled sectional view of the main part taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the back surface of the cover shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a front view of the engaging projections showing the positional relationship between the engaging projections and the click boss, and FIG. FIG. 9A to FIG. 9A are perspective views of the vicinity of the engaging convex portion showing the positional relationship with the boss portion.
(D) is a front view around the power switch showing the movement of the cover.

As shown in FIG. 1, the switch of the electronic apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is mounted on, for example, a personal computer. 1A shows a case where the personal computer is placed vertically, and FIG. 1B shows a case where the personal computer is placed horizontally. Since the personal computer is basically the same in the case of being placed horizontally and in the case of being placed vertically, the following description will be made assuming that the personal computer is placed horizontally as shown in FIG. 1B.

In the personal computer, a panel 21 is mounted on the front surface of the main body chassis 20. Panel 2
1 is formed with an insertion port for the floppy disk drive 22. A power switch 24 according to the present embodiment is attached to the side of the insertion slot of the floppy disk drive 22.

The power switch 24 according to this embodiment will be described below.
The details of the erroneous operation prevention mechanism will be described. Figure 2
As shown in (A) and (B), the power switch 24 of this embodiment is a push button type switch and is installed in a button opening 26 formed in the panel 21. A slide recess 28 is formed on the side of the button opening 26. A substantially rectangular cover 30 is attached to the slide recess 28.

Sliding recess 28 and button opening 26
Are continuously formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the front side, and ribs 32a and 32b are formed at the edges of their upper and lower sides. As shown in FIG. 3, slide grooves 34a and 34b formed at the upper and lower sides of the back surface of the cover 30 are fitted into the ribs 32a and 32b, and are slidable. As a result, the cover 30 has ribs 32a and 32b.
Is slidable along its longitudinal direction.

The size of the cover 30 is such that when the cover 30 is located at the position of the slide recess 28, the button opening 26 is formed.
Is designed to be opened to expose the power switch 24. On the back surface of the cover 30, a boss portion 3 for screwing is attached.
6 is formed. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the boss portion 36 is inserted into a slide hole 38 formed in the slide recess 28 of the panel 21. The tip of the boss 36 is
It is screwed to the screw 40 on the back side of the panel 21 via the washer 42. As a result, the cover 30 is assembled to the panel 21.

The protruding height of the boss portion 36 is set between the washer 42 and the rear surface of the panel 21 when the screw 40 is screwed into the tip of the boss portion 36 via the washer 42, as shown in FIG. It is designed so that a gap t1 is formed at. The gap t1 is 0.1 mm, for example.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a screw 40 is screwed into the tip of the boss portion 36 so that the slide grooves 34a and 34b formed on the back surface of the cover 30 are attached to the ribs 32a and 32b of the cover 21. When fitted together, movement in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 5 is restricted.

However, the presence of the above-mentioned gap t1 enables a slight movement in the Y-axis direction. Further, since the grooves and the ribs are designed so that the gap t2 in the X-axis direction is formed between the slide grooves 34a, 34b and the ribs 32a, 32b, it is possible to make a minute movement also in the X-axis direction. Is. By forming these gaps t1 and t2, the cover 30 is moved along the longitudinal direction of the slide hole 38 in the Z direction.
It can be smoothly slid in the axial direction (the direction Z perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 5, the direction of the arrow Z axis in FIG. 3). The movement of the cover 30 in the Z-axis direction is restricted by the length of the slide hole 38.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, on the back surface of the cover 30, in addition to the boss portion 36 for screwing, this boss portion 36 is provided.
Clicking boss 44 with a smaller protrusion length than
Two a and 44b are formed. As shown in FIG. 5, the protruding heights of the click feeling imparting bosses 44a and 44b are the tips of the bosses 44 on the bottom surface of the sliding recess 28 when the cover 30 is assembled to the panel 21. Designed to keep from touching. This is to prevent the sliding movement of the cover 30 from being hindered.

Boss portions 44a, 44b for giving a click feeling
In the positional relationship shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the engaging projection 48 formed on the panel 21 is appropriately engaged with the sliding movement of the cover 30. The engaging protrusion 48 is
It is formed on the tip side of the elastic piece 46 in the opening 50 formed in the panel 21 on the side facing the cover 30, and the projecting height is designed so that the tip does not contact the back surface of the cover 30. The engagement protrusion 48 is preferably cylindrical. However, as long as the lower half surface that is a surface that engages with the boss portions 44a and 44b has a curved shape, the shape is not limited to the cylindrical shape.

The elastic piece 46 is formed integrally with the panel 21, and is made of, for example, a synthetic resin such as ABS resin.
Since the elastic piece 46 easily bends and elastically deforms in the opening 50, the engaging projection 48 is formed on the distal end side of the elastic piece 46, so that the engaging projection 48 receives an external force and X. It can be easily displaced in the axial direction.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the click feeling imparting boss portions 44a and 44b are formed in a straight line along the Z-axis direction which is the sliding movement direction of the cover 30, and a line 52 connecting the upper ends thereof is formed. , Is designed to be arranged at a position that passes through the lower half position from the center of the engaging convex portion 48. This is to give a certain click feeling to the operator who slides the cover 30 by engaging one of the bosses 44a and 44b at a predetermined slide position of the cover 30. The bosses 44a and 44b preferably have a columnar shape. However, the shape of the boss portions 44a and 44b is not limited to the cylindrical shape as long as the upper half surface that is the engagement surface with the engagement convex portion 48 is curved.

Next, based on FIG. 9, as the cover 30 slides, the bosses 44a and 44b and the engagement protrusion 48 are formed.
A change in the engagement state with, that is, a means for giving a click feeling will be described. In FIG. 9, the cover 30
And the screwing boss portion 36 and the click feeling imparting boss portions 44a and 44b formed therein are indicated by a two-dot chain line. In FIG. 9, (A) shows a state in which the cover 30 has moved to the maximum rightward along the slide movement direction Z, and shows the state in which the power switch 24 is covered with the cover 30. In this state, the click feeling imparting boss portion 44a on the left side in the drawing is shown.
Engages with the engaging convex portion 48, pushes up the convex portion 48 by the boss portion 44a to bend the elastic piece 46, and as a reaction force thereof, pushes the boss portion 44a upward and downward in the drawing.

As described above, the cover 30 is restricted in its movement in the X-axis direction, and the boss portion 36 for screwing is fixed.
Is located at the rightmost position of the slide hole 38,
The force acting on the boss portion 44a described above acts in a direction of closing the cover 30 with a constant force (right side along the Z-axis direction in the drawing). Therefore, with the cover 30, the power switch 24
In the state in which the cover 30 is covered, even if the apparatus is laid down, the cover 30 does not open due to the gravity of the cover 30 itself.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9B, the cover 30
When the user tries to slide the cover 30 to the left along the Z-axis direction (that is, the direction in which the cover 30 is opened), the click feeling imparting boss portion 44a goes under the engaging convex portion 48. The engaging convex portion 48 is pushed up to the maximum and relatively moves so as to get over the boss portion 44a. The engaging protrusion 48 is the boss 44a.
In the middle of moving to get over,
As shown in FIG. 5, the elastic piece 46 is bent to the maximum extent. Due to the bending of the elastic piece 46, the engagement convex portion 48 applies a force in a direction of pushing the boss portion 44a to the left side in the drawing along the Z-axis direction. As a result, an appropriate click feeling is given to the person who operates to open the cover 30.

When the cover 30 is further moved in the opening direction, as shown in FIG. 9 (C), the engaging projection 48 and the boss 4 are formed.
The engagement state with 4a, 44b is released, and the cover 30 is
Freely and smoothly moves along the slide movement direction Z. When the cover 30 is slid leftward as it is, the click feeling imparting boss portion 44b on the right side of the cover 30 starts to engage with the engaging convex portion 48 this time. As a result, a force (clicking feeling) required when the engaging projection 48 relatively moves over the boss 44b acts on the operator who attempts to open the cover 30.

When the engaging protrusion 48 is pushed up to the maximum by the boss portion 44b and the cover 30 is further moved leftward, the screwing boss portion 36 is released as shown in FIG. 9D. It abuts on the leftmost end of the slide hole 38, and the further sliding movement of the cover 30 is restricted. In that state, the cover 30 is in a state in which the power switch 24 is completely exposed and the engagement protrusion 48 is engaged with the boss 44b. As a result, the engaging convex portion 48 presses the boss portion 44b downward in the upper left of the drawing by the bending force of the elastic piece 46,
Since the movement of the cover 30 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is restricted, the cover 30 tries to maintain the power switch 24 in the open state.

In order to perform the operation of closing the power switch 24 by the cover 30, the above operation may be performed in reverse.
Even during the movement of the cover 30 in the closing direction, the engagement between the boss portions 44a and 44b and the engagement protrusion 48 occurs, and the elastic piece 46 is flexed to the maximum extent. In addition, when the cover 30 is closed, a similar click feeling occurs.

Also, with the cover 30 open and closed, the engaging protrusion 48 and the boss 44a or 44a.
The engagement state with b is maintained, and the bending force of the elastic piece 46 exerts a force to maintain the open state or the closed state of the cover 30. Therefore, for example, a personal computer to which the switch 24 of this embodiment is attached is attached. Even if the computer is placed vertically or the slide movement direction of the cover 30 is vertical due to the design and shape, it is possible to prevent the cover 30 from closing or opening due to the gravity of the cover 30 itself.

The elastic piece 46 and the engaging protrusion 48 are
In the mold structure at the time of injection molding, since there is no undercut portion and the slide structure in the mold is not required, the panel 21 can be easily integrally formed at the time of injection molding of ABS resin or the like. Therefore, it also contributes to the reduction of manufacturing cost.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but can be variously modified within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the switch covered by the cover 30 is a power switch, but the switch is not limited to this and may be another operation switch. The form of the operation switch is not limited to the push button type, and other forms may be used. Further, in the above embodiment, the sliding movement direction of the cover is left and right, but it may be another direction, for example, the vertical direction or the diagonal direction.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the personal computer has been described as an example, but the mechanism of the present invention can be applied to other electronic parts having operation switches. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the cover 3
Although the boss portion 36 of No. 0 is inserted into the slide hole 38 and screwed on the back surface of the panel with the screw 40, the means for fixing the boss portion 36 in the slide hole 38 so as to be slidable is as follows. Alternatively, other fastening means such as nylon rivets can be employed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the slide grooves 34a and 34b are provided on the back surface of the cover 30, and the panel 21 side is provided with
Although the ribs 32a and 32b are provided, the configuration may be reversed. That is, a rib is provided on the cover 30 side, and the panel 21
It is also possible to provide a slide groove on the side. Further, as long as the cover 30 can be slid with respect to the panel 21, the rib and the groove are not limited to the fitting, and other fitting structures may be used.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention, by covering the operation switch with the sliding type cover, it is possible to effectively prevent erroneous operation such as erroneous pressing of the operation switch in the electronic device. it can. Moreover, since the state in which the cover covers the operation switch can be easily visually recognized, it is possible for other operators to easily know that the operation of the operation switch is prohibited. Further, in the present invention, since the cover is slidably attached to the panel, the cover will not be lost.

Further, in the present invention, when the cover is slid, the click feeling imparting means imparts a click feeling (a kind of resistance) to the operator, so that the cover can be easily opened and closed. Nevertheless, the cover does not open or close due to its own weight. Moreover, in the present invention, since the operation switch can be easily exposed by sliding the cover, the normal operation of the operation switch is also easy.

Further, according to the present invention, the engaging convex portion and the elastic piece forming a part of the click feeling giving means can be integrally formed with the panel, and the separate parts from the panel are the cover and the cover. Since only the member for fixing the cover is used, the number of parts is small, the assembly is easy, and the manufacturing cost is reduced. Further, since the engaging convex portion and the elastic piece have a structure that can be easily integrally molded when molding the panel, the cost of the mold can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A and 1B are perspective views showing an example of an apparatus in which an erroneous operation prevention mechanism for an operation switch of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted.

FIG. 2A is an overall perspective view of an apparatus equipped with the mechanism of the embodiment, and FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of a main part around a power switch mounted on the front surface of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an erroneous operation preventing mechanism mounted around a power switch according to the embodiment.

4 is an exploded cross-sectional view of main parts taken along the line IV-IV shown in FIG.

5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part assembly taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the back surface of the cover shown in FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the vicinity of the engaging protrusion, showing the positional relationship between the engaging protrusion and the click feeling imparting boss.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the engaging protrusion showing the positional relationship between the engaging protrusion and the click feeling imparting boss.

9A to 9D are front views of the vicinity of a power switch showing the movement of the cover.

10A is an overall perspective view of an apparatus according to a conventional example, and FIGS. 10B and 10C are perspective views of an erroneous operation prevention mechanism according to the conventional example provided near a power switch. .

[Explanation of symbols]

 20 ... Main chassis 21 ... Panel 22 ... Desk drive 24 ... Power switch 26 ... Button opening 28 ... Sliding recess 30 ... Covers 32a, 32b ... Ribs 34a, 34b ... Sliding groove 36 ... Screw fastening boss 38 ... Sliding hole 40 ... Screw 42 ... Washers 44a, 44b ... Click feeling imparting boss portion 46 ... Elastic piece 48 ... Engaging convex portion 50 ... Opening portion

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A cover mounted so as to be slidable between a position where the operation switch is provided and a position where the operation switch is exposed on a panel provided with the operation switch, and a slide movement operation of the cover. On the other hand, an erroneous operation preventing mechanism for an operation switch of an electronic device, which has a click feeling imparting means for imparting a click feeling. 2. The click feeling imparting means includes an engagement protrusion formed on a tip side of an elastic piece formed on the panel,
It is composed of a pair of click feeling imparting boss portions formed on a straight line along the slide movement direction on the back surface of the cover, and the click feeling imparting boss portion, with respect to the engaging convex portion,
The erroneous operation prevention mechanism for an operation switch of an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the cover is engaged appropriately according to a slide movement position of the cover. 3. The boss for giving a click feeling, wherein one of the engaging protrusions is provided when the cover is in a slide position for covering the operation switch and in a slide position for exposing the operation switch. The engaging convex portion and the click feeling imparting boss portion are arranged so that the bending force of the elastic piece acts in a direction to maintain the open state and the closed state of the cover. An erroneous operation prevention mechanism for the operation switch of the electronic device according to claim 2.